Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-04-14
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The following circular letter was dlstri-
makers large stores, in Philadelpbit, Fri
day afternoon:
"GooD FRIDAY. 1887. To-day, April 9th,
26 years ago, hogan business nc tbs corner
Of Sixth and Market streets.
II want TO keep the anniversary by CIV
Ing this token of good will to the people
associated with me IN the various depart
ments of service In the house;
First. All who have been In the employ
OF this house for seven years and such others
whose term OF service shall hereafter reach
seven years shall participate In portion Of
the profits OF the years business, which
shall set aside out OF my share In tire firm
at the time Of Its next annual settlement, l
shall divide this portion among those en-
ployes on the seven years honor roll, ae-
cording to the value of their services to the
firm, TO be determined by their usefulness
and faithfulness.
"In making this distribution / shall per-
sonally analyze the records OF sales made
or work done for salary paid, and, consid-
ering opportunity, effort, behavior and
growth, shall endeavor to do exactly right
by each one according to my best Judgment.
Second. all the sales-persons through
out the house will have added to their
present salaries, on and after Monday next,
a sum each week graded by their sales.
The sales-persons in departments where the
transactions are most numerous, because In
small amounts, the addition to the salaries
will be In double ratio to those In the other
departments.
"Third. In the clerical, packing, invoice
and various offices, a civil service system
will be strictly followed In promotions and
advancements. The record of each one
will be carefully kept, and govern all
changes. A special honor list will be kept
&c. .Na.. 1.a...
showing marked business ability, rapid i'm
proyement, diligence, economy and useful
mess.
The circular goes on to state that these
extra payments apply only to the retail de-
partments and to such as have been In the
service six months and over.
It concludes with the sentence: ave have
great desires to improve the condition, COM
fort, happiness and pay of our people, II
they will do the part that is in their power.
A large business warrants large pay, If the
drones are kept out of 1t.
Cheerful Joyous, intelligent workers may
do wonders for themselves and everybody
and receive large pay.
At o'clock the employees were called to-
gether, and Mr.. Wanamaker personally ad-
dressed them.
He said 1t was an event to him of which
he had long thought and studied, and
added much to the pleasure OF his business
birthday to take his employees into the shar-
Ing Of the prosperity OF the business. He
had always thought to improve the condt-
tion of his people, considering them as per-
sonal friends 80 far as possible. While the
salaries now being paid were ample, and
averaged as high. IL not higher than IN any
large store In any city In tho world,
and could be easily 30 proven, yet 1t was a
great satisfaction to him to INTRODUCES new
scale of earnings by which they could re-
seiye much larger pay than had eyec been
.urrent anywhere before.
The reforms in the service would be put
upon a new level, giving them an extra
share Of the profits. Earnest wol Us Of coun-
sci were rapidly and warmly spoken To all.
When Mr.. Wanamaker closed he callei to
the stand from which he spoke the first
man he employed 26 years ago, and con-
tinued In his service to the present time,
and also another gentleman now In his en-
ploy In the wholesale department who was
the first customer 26 years ago. He loped
that all present would spend their lives
together. AT the last word three ripping
cheers were given nnd the happy people
crowded around their happier employer
and shook his band until he must have been
thoroughly exhausted.
Mr.. Wanamaker when questioned on the
amount to be distributed among his EN-
ployes by his new system, said 1t could not
be less than 100000 this year, In idition
to their salaries.
Five years Hgo Mr., Wanamaker organized
an Insurance association amons lilo on-
ployes, and governed by them, thai has dis
tributed In sickness and death benefits up
10 this time over $40, 900.